Party animals of the canine sort are invited to take part in the Festival of the Senses’ inaugural dog parade, Saturday, Sept. 22 at the Civic Center.

The new tradition will open the two-day festival with the dogs taking a trek on the perimeter of the festival grounds. To be eligible for prizes pet owners are encouraged to dress their parading pooches in costumes.

“It’s just a new way to bring some excitement to the event,” said Mary Ann Hosey, chairwoman of the event planning committee. “Dogs are cool – their little costumes are another artsy aspect to our festival.”

Dogs will be judged in three weight categories, small, medium and large, competing for the titles of Owner Lookalike, Best Costume and Best Behaved Dog during the parade.

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The first 150 dogs will receive a doggie goodie bag complete with a Festival of the Senses bandana, dog treats, and other food samples. Registration is $5.

The dog parade will be hosted by the Clinton Township Festival of the Senses along with the Macomb Community College Veterinary Program and Parkway Small Animal and Exotic Hospital. The two facilities will split the proceeds from the registration fee.

For Parkway Small Animal, the parade is a natural fit as the facility has had a long relationship with Clinton Township and participates in numerous fundraising events such as the Cops and Kids program.

“We have a program called EARL, which stands for Every Animal Rescue League as we are a rescue organization for dogs, cats, birds, small reptiles, exotics – you name it,” said Jennifer Williams, a spokeswoman for Parkway.

Proceeds the hospital receives will help bolster the hospital’s efforts to have abused or abandoned animals adopted by loving families.

For MCC’s vet program, the extra funding will go to their kitten raising project, said Dr. Lori Francis, adding she thinks the parade will prove to be a popular, fun addition to the festival for years to come.

“Our biggest challenge is getting the word out to the public for people who want to participate in the parade. It’s a great opportunity to show off your pet and spend quality time with it,” she said.

Unleash your creativity

Register your do to walk in the parade.

WHEN: 10:15 a.m. on Sept. 22

HOW: Dog owners can pre-register by downloading a form at the event website, www.festivalofthesenses.com and mailing it along with the $5 fee. More than two dozen dogs have already signed up. Final pet registration will run from 9 to 10 a.m. (day of parade)

WHERE: The dog parade will take place on the grounds of the Clinton Township Civic Center and will be led by longtime children’s entertainer Rosco the Clown.

Doggie poop bags will be available for free. Prizes will be awarded in nine categories.